Weekly Wrap-Up (01)

When I started this blog, I thought it’d be mainly pictures – I adjusted my main content width accordingly, and it’s still my plan to be fairly photography-heavy. I’m a photographer and (relatedly, but not necessarily consequentially) I take a lot of pictures of stuff. Most of my blog categories – which I created before I started posting – reflect that. I’m not all that surprised that I haven’t got around to posting many pics, though – it’s been a weird summer, I’ve had a working laptop for just two weeks, and I’m still getting back into the swing of things.

I did manage to start vlogging, which I’m really pleased about. It’s definitely a new thing for me, and the kind of new thing where I really don’t know what I’m doing, but it’s fun and I’m glad I jumped in. My vlogging goal for this coming week is the same as last – put up two videos, no content requirements, though it would be nice if I could manage to get a song up with my guitar! I recorded (audio only, vocals only) and posted a version of For You by Angus and Julia Stone this week, which is a start. I’m also proud of myself for only feeling the briefest of needs to make excuses for my singing. Not sure if that will extend to my guitar playing, but at this point I feel like I’ve said I’m terrible at these things so frequently that it would be impossible for someone to think I think I’m good. Makes no sense, but that’s my brain for you. And anyway, if they do, what of it?

Maybe I’ll make some “channel art” for my youtube channel, but I wouldn’t hold my breath on that one. Design-wise, what I really want to do is open my graphic design shop on Etsy. I made a banner and avatar this week, and now I need to fill out my profile, policies, and come up with something to list. I don’t have a lot of premade work handy and I’m looking to focus on custom work, so it’s a bit tricky.

Also tricky: talking to strangers. For some reason I don’t even want to pinpoint, I’d been thinking about signing up on OKCupid for a while, and earlier this week – one sleepless night at 3 AM – I did just that. Things I like about OKCupid: it’s an excellent time-waster if you like answering questions! Things I don’t like about OKCupid: the body type options, the lack of options outside the gender binary and the heterosexual/bisexual/homosexual trifecta. The weird shit that pops up as you type your signup. You’re a bot! The person who programmed you has probably never heard of where I live! Also, whatever their ‘Special Blend’ thing is when you sort your matches – you’re not supposed to show me people who are racist and fatphobic! Especially if they’re cute-looking enough for me to check their profile and be horrified!

Things I’m unsure about about OKCupid: uh, people. I’m… not great at people. I actually haven’t answered any messages in three days. I did put a note in my profile that sometimes my anxiety gets the best of me and it may take me a while to sit down and write back. Things that aren’t specific to OKCupid but being on that site has made me aware of: there are a lot of people who suck for a lot of different reasons. I’m so glad I have my dealbreakers straight.

Other thoughts: I want to do an outfit challenge, but I’m not decided on what type yet. I like the 30×30 remix challenge (found via Kaity) – my life is a remix challenge already, but drawing the lines would make it more fun and creative. I have a couple of ideas that will have to wait until October at the earliest, like # days of hats or # days of knitwear, or maybe even # days of wearing things I made. The other challenge I’m thinking about for September is something like ’30 days of closet cosplay,’ i.e., 30 days of outfits inspired by fictional characters. Which one should I do? Somebody choose for me.